Miami Marlins Rumors: Can Nick Masset Get A Shot In Bullpen?

By Ryan Gaydos

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Former Cincinnati Reds reliever Nick Masset has missed the last two seasons with shoulder issues, but he is looking to return to the majors this season. Among the teams that are interested in Masset are the Miami Marlins. The Marlins could always use a bit of bullpen help especially with the instability of the young pitchers to handle the latter parts of games.

In Masset’s last season with the Reds — all the way back in 2011 — he had a 3.71 ERA in 75 games. He struck out about eight batters per nine innings and seemed pretty solid for the Reds in that year. A little bit of bad luck has landed Masset in and out of rehab stints, and he could never find himself back up with any major-league team. Miami has the ability to change that.

Masset is looking at a minor-league deal with any team. If with the Marlins, he will have to face Arquimedes Caminero, Dan Jennings and Chris Hatcher for a possible spot. It is going to be tough for Masset to get back into form because he has been out of the game for so long. That fact will work against him when trying out for any team, not just the Marlins.

The Colorado Rockies are also in pursuit of signing Masset, and the interest he is gaining is significant. Only if he can get back to his form before the shoulder injuries will it prove valuable for any team to sign him. He will have a shot with someone this spring.